Emma Twigg, the reigning Olympic gold medalist from New Zealand, won the semi-finals of the single-sculls race at Tuesday's Paris Games. She broke away mid-race to take the victory at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium.

The Kiwi, 37, set the best time in the day's third race. She completed the race in 7:26.89, and secured her place in Thursday’s semifinals.

Twigg said, "I was aware that a race was about to begin behind me. I decided to control the situation and not be caught in it."

Tara Rigney of Australia won the first race in a time 7:30.57. Karolien Fleurijn of the Netherlands, who was a silver medalist in the coxless quartet in Tokyo, then took second place. Viktoija Senkute, of Lithuania, claimed the final spot.

Thomas Mackintosh won the first quarter final of the men’s single sculls in warmer temperatures.

Mackintosh said that initially, getting in the water is not bad. But as your heart rate increases and you continue your warm up, the heat becomes more intense.

When you exercise, it can feel like it is 40 years old.

The rowing programme for Tuesday continues with both the men's and women's double sculls repechage and semis. Reporting by Philip O'Connor, Editing by Ken Ferris

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